FR2741981A1 - APPARATUS FOR SORTING DISC TYPE CURRENCIES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for sorting coins. It relates to an apparatus which comprises a rotating disc having an elastic upper surface, and a stationary sorting head (12) having a lower surface parallel to and a short distance from the elastic upper surface of the disc; the lower surface of the sorting head (12) forms several outlet channels (20-25) intended to guide pieces of different diameters to different outlet stations at the periphery of the sorting head (12), each channel ( 20-25) outlet having two side walls between which the coins are guided, and having, surfaces placed between the two side walls and generally perpendicular to the two side walls. Application to the sorting of coins.

Description

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for sorting

  coins and, more specifically,

  devices of the type using a rotating disc

  tick and a fixed head of sorting of pieces of different diameters. Although disk-type coin sorting devices with elastic disks have been in use for a number of years, the application of this technology to certain types of coin assemblies

  still poses problems. Most of the pieces

  feel individuals, animals, buildings or other objects that identify a particular piece with the heritage or culture of the corresponding country. However, some of the representations may give a larger room thickness in the center than at the periphery. An example of such a coin is the former half dollar of the United States of America in which relief features of President John F. Kennedy depicted on the coin

  protrude from the surface of the room to its periphery. Lors-

  such a piece is placed on a surface, it alternately topples when pressure is applied to its

opposite edges.

  Similar problems may arise when the parts are curved. This is a common problem in

  countries whose parts are made of relatively

  tender. As can be expected for a curved piece, a similar type of tilting movement exists

  when pressure is applied to the edges of the room.

  The problem posed by this tilting movement arises when the piece passes in front of an electrical or optical sensor. When a failover persists when the part is detected to be counted, it can be counted twice because of its tilting movement. On the contrary, sensors that detect the composition of the material by a magnetic phenomenon, to distinguish genuine parts from counterfeit parts, may erroneously characterize a good part as a bad part because of the tilting movement. In summary, this switchover can pose various problems for the detection of a piece of

currency in the sorting machine.

  In addition to the particular problem described above, it is also desirable that the accuracy of coin sorting be even greater, especially in disc-type apparatuses that work at high speeds.

extremely high.

  The main object of the invention is the production of an improved disc type sorting apparatus which can work at extremely high speeds and with a high degree of accuracy, although some sorted parts may be curved or may have thickness

maximum in the center of the room.

  According to the invention, the aforementioned object is achieved by the production of a disc-type coin sorting apparatus which comprises a rotating disc having a resilient upper surface and a fixed sorting head having a lower surface placed parallel to the surface

  top of the disc and at a short distance from it.

  The lower surface of the sorting head forms a plurality of outlet channels for guiding parts of different diameters to different outlet stations placed at the periphery of the sorting head. Each channel among the outlet channels has two sidewalls between which the pieces are guided and a base on which the pieces pass. Each outlet channel has a slot formed in the base, and the part guided by the outlet channel is in contact with a part of the base in a region which is

found on the outside of the slot.

  In a preferred embodiment, the slot has a rectangular section. In another embodiment, it has a curved section. In these embodiments, a workpiece having a median maximum center thickness or a curved workpiece passes into the output channel without

present tipping.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will be better understood by reading the description that will

  follow of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coin sorting apparatus according to the invention, with parts torn off so that the internal structure appears; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view from below of the sorting head or guide plate of the coin sorting apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is a section of an outlet channel having a rectangular slot; Fig. 3B is a section of an outlet channel having a curved slot; Figure 3C is a section of an outlet channel having a triangular slot; Figure 3D is a section of an outlet channel having an enlarged curved slot; and FIG. 3E is a section of an output channel having

several slots.

  We now refer to the drawings and in particular to the

  figure 1; a hopper 10 houses denomination coins

  various types and transmits them through an opening or a central supply opening to an annular sorting head or guide plate 12. When the parts pass through

  the central opening, they are deposited on the upper surface

  The disk 13 is mounted so that it rotates on a straight shaft (not shown) and is driven by an AC or DC electric motor 14 attached to a mounting plate. The disc 13 comprises an elastic pad 16, preferably formed of an elastic rubber or an elastic polymeric material, adhered to the upper surface of a metal disc

full 17.

  When the disc 13 rotates, the coins deposited at the upper surface tend to slide outwardly to the surface of the pad 16 under the action of centrifugal forces and friction. When the parts move outwards, those which are flat on the pad 16 penetrate into the space between the surface of the pad and the head 12 because the lower face of the inner periphery of the head 12 is placed on the outside. above the pad 16 at a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the thickest part. As described in more detail later,

  the coins are sorted by denomination

  tive, and the parts of each denomination are transmitted by a respective output channel, such as the channels 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of FIG. 2. The embodiment

  particular shown in FIG. 2 is intended specifically to

  treatment of the six United States coins.

  United States, that is to say coins of one cent, ten cents, five cents, a quarter of a dollar, a

  dollar and half a dollar respectively.

  In general, coins of any given currency

  are sorted by diameter variation of the various denominations

  although in many cases it is desirable or necessary to ensure sorting also according to the variation of thickness. The pieces circulate between the sorting head 12 and the rotating disc 13 until a stream of pieces in a single file is obtained. An edge of the workpiece pieces is aligned and optionally adjusted so that the other edge of the workpieces is successively calibrated against the directional calibration surfaces of the workpieces to the output channels 20 to 25 corresponding to the

different denominations.

  As indicated more clearly in Figure 2, the outwardly moving parts initially enter the inlet channel 30 formed on the underside of the sorting head 12 from the central opening which is seen when an observation towards the hopper 12. It should be remembered that the circulation of the coins, clockwise in FIG. 1, appears counter-clockwise in FIG. Figure 2 is a view from below. A separation notch 34 is shown for separating "stacked" or "duplicate" pieces (i.e. pieces placed one over the other). The outer wall 31 of the inlet channel 30 descends to the lower surface 32 of the sorting head 12 which is preferably placed at a distance from the upper surface of the pad 16, this distance being slightly less than the thickness the thinnest parts. Consequently, the initial outward movement of the coins ends when they are in contact with the wall 31 of the inlet channel 30 in

  which parts continue to move circumferentially

  along the wall 31 during the movement of

pad rotation 16.

  When the disc 13 rotates, the coins placed in the inlet channel 30 and which are sufficiently close to the wall 31 come into contact with a ramp 36 which leads to the surface 36a. A wall 36b delimits a

  inner edge of the surface 36a and is arranged next

  The wall 36b has a tendency to separate the "stacked" or "duplicated" pieces. Preferably, wall 36b separates the top piece from a pair of stacked pieces and guides the upper piece toward ramp 42 for recirculation. Parts with misalignment and missing ramp 36 must also recirculate. The separate upper parts or the parts having a misalignment come into contact with the wall 36b and the latter guides these parts towards the ramp

  42. These pieces descend the ramp 42 towards the lower surface

  32 and, when the parts descend along the ramp 42, they are pushed towards the pad 16. During the pressure contact with the pad 16, these parts keep the

  same radial position but move circumferentially-

  with the surface 32 until they come into contact with the recirculation ramp 44. This ramp 44

  back to the input channel 30 and cause a new traffic

  parts separated or having an alignment defect

towards the input channel 30.

  The coins that reach the surface 36a move circumferentially thereon and, similarly, the pieces sufficiently close to the wall 31 cooperate with a ramp 38 leading to a surface 38a. A wall 38b delimits the internal border of the surface 38a and is arranged in a curve arc inwards, towards

  the ramp 42. The wall 38b forms another separation mechanism.

  ration of parts to remove stacked parts.

  As previously described with reference to the wall 36b, the separated or misaligned parts come into contact with the wall 38b and this latter guides them.

  towards the ramp 42 so that they recirculate.

  The pieces that reach the surface 38a continue to move circumferentially along this surface due to the rotation of the disc 13 and meet a ramp

  46 by joining up a channel 48 for queuing.

  An outer wall 50 of the channel 48 descends to the lower surface 32 of the sorting head 12. An inner wall 51 of the channel 48 tends to reduce the stacked pieces in the channel 48. The inner wall 51 descends less than the thickness of the thinnest part so that it is in contact with the upper part of the stacked parts. . For example, in channel 48, the stacked parts are subject to the

  pad pressure and tend to stay at the same position

  radial effect. Thus, when the stacked parts move circumferentially and keep their radial position, the inner wall 51 comes into contact with the upper part of the stacked parts and has a tendency to separate the parts. While the wall 51 separates the parts, the lower part comes into contact with a chamfered surface 51a and, after separation, the lower part is still subjected to the pressure of the pad by the chamfered surface 51a. As a result, the lower piece keeps its radial position by moving circumferentially with the pad 16 and passes under the chamfered surface 51a towards the surface

lower 32 before recirculating.

  In channel 48, the parts can

  to be pushed into contact with the sorting head 12. This pressure

  The slipperiness on the parts is sometimes called a "positive control". When the parts are not subject to this control, they can move freely outward until they come into contact with the wall 50 of the channel 48 when the parts continue to move circumferentially due to 16. When the parts are subjected to a positive control however, they keep their radial position while continuing to move circumferentially along the

  channel 48 due to the rotational movement of the pad 16.

  When the pieces move circumferentially along the channel 48, those which are subjected to the positive control in the channel 48 encounter a ramp 52 which joins a deep channel 54. The latter eliminates the positive control of the thick parts which were subjected to the positive control in the channel 48, so that they can not move outwardly to contact the wall 50 of the channel 48. Accordingly, when these parts enter the deep channel 54, they can move towards the outside and come advantageously in contact with an outer wall 54a of the deep channel 54. The wall 50 of the channel 48 is connected to the wall 54a of the channel 54. When the parts have entered the channel 54, they are advantageously in the form of a stream of single-file pieces headed towards the

  outer wall 54a of the deep channel 54.

  The outer wall 54a guides the flow of parts to

  a narrow ramp 56. When the parts move cir-

  conferringly along the outer surface 54a, they come into contact with the narrow ramp 56 which descends towards

  the lower surface 32 of the head 12. At the end

  nal of the ramp 56, the parts are firmly pushed towards the pad 16. Thus, the parts are subjected to the positive control. The radial position of the parts is therefore

  preserved when the parts move circumferentially-

  to a calibration channel 58.

  When pieces of the stream of pieces joining the narrow ramp 56 rising are not close enough to the wall 54a to come into contact with the ramp 56, the parts having the misalignment are in contact with the outer wall 60 of the channel 61 recirculation. This channel 61 has a chamfered surface 62 which is slightly inclined (for example at an angle of 5.25) with respect to the surface of the pad. This chamfered surface 62 allows the parts

  with misalignment to gradually

  pressurized contact with the pad 16. When the front edges of the non-aligned parts strike the wall 60, the latter 60 guides these parts to bring them back towards the

  input channel 30 before recirculation.

  It may happen that properly aligned pieces passing under channel 61 as the pieces move circumferentially to the calibration channel 58 may be slightly radially offset. For this defect to be corrected, the parts passing under the circulation channel 61 meet a ramp 66 joining the calibration channel 58. The parts remain under pressure in the calibration channel 58, but the latter tends to push the pieces to that they are again aligned against an outer wall 64 for calibrating the channel 58. The channel 58 and the calibration wall 64 allow the parts that are in the sorting path to be aligned again on the outer edges in position radial needed for proper sorting. For each piece to be in contact with the wall 64, the radius of the calibration wall 64 with respect to the center of the disk decreases progressively over the length

of channel 58.

  The calibration channel 58 preferably comprises a chamfered surface 68 which is inclined upwardly with respect to the surface of the pad and to the calibration wall 64, and a deep surface 70. The parts moving in the channel 58 remain under the pressure of the head 12, but the chamfered surface 68 applies variable pressure to the workpieces with greater pressure at the inner edges of the workpieces. In this way, the chamfered surface 68 prevents the parts from bouncing against the wall

  64 when the radial position of the parts decreases progressively

along Canal 58.

  When the parts move along the wall 64 of the channel 58, they come into contact with the calibration ramp 72 which descends towards the lower surface 32. This ramp 72 causes the application of a firm pressure on the parts towards the pad 16, the outer edges of the parts being aligned with the calibration radius formed by the wall 64. At the end end of the ramp 72, the parts are subjected to a positive control of the sorting head 12. In this way, the parts are held firmly in the correct radial position determined by the wall 64 when the parts are approaching the series of channels of

output 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.

  Beyond the calibration channel 58, the sorting head 12 forms the series of outlet channels 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 which form a selection device which evacuates parts of different denominations at different circumferential locations at the periphery of the head 12. Thus, the outlet channels 20 to 25 are spaced circumferentially at the outer periphery of the head 12, the internal edges

  successive canals are farther and farther away from the

  joint radial cement of the outer edges of all the pieces so that they receive and eject the pieces in the order of increasing diameters. In the particular embodiment shown, the six channels 20 to 25 are placed so that they successively remove coins of one cent (channel 20), ten cents (channel 21), five cents (channel 22), a quarter dollar (channel 23), a dollar Susan B. Anthony (channel 24) and half a dollar (channel 25). The inner edges of the outlet channels 20 to 25 are arranged so that the inner edge of a piece of a single particular denomination can enter the channel, the parts of the other denominations reaching a particular outlet channel protruding outwardly to the outside. beyond the innermost edge of the particular channel so that parts can not enter the channel and continue

  therefore to the next output channel.

  For example, the coin sorting devices exert a pressure of the pad on the pieces when these parts are inside the output channels of the sorting apparatus. Pad pressure is achieved because the outlet channel is shallower than the thickness of the denomination corresponding to the outlet channel. Although, in the outlet channel, a part subjected to the pressure of the pad is exposed to forces tending to maintain the radial position of the piece and to push the piece so that it moves circumferentially along the elastic pad, the apparatuses have been constructed so that the outlet channel is deeper so that the workpiece can move freely in the outlet channel without being subjected to the pressure of the shoe. The invention applies to both types of arrangement of sorting devices. However, it is especially useful in the case of the coin sorting device that exerts a pressure of the pad on the part, because this pressure is more likely to give the tilting effect

previously described.

  Each outlet channel 20 to 25 has an opening corresponding to

  20a-25a outlet by which the piece out of the periphery of the head 12 sorting. Although this arrangement is not shown, the parts then enter exit chutes out of the periphery of the head 12 corresponding to the channels 20 to 25 output. Each output channel 20 to 25 is also shown with a corresponding output ramp 20b to 25b. The ramp 20b covers the lower surface 32 of the sorting head 12 with the outlet channel 20 when the workpiece begins to enter the channel 20. In the apparatus in which a positive pressure is maintained, the shoe 12 still maintains contact with the piece after passing through the ramp 20b. In devices that do not exert pressure on the workpiece in the channel, the workpiece is slowly relieved of the pressure of the runner

  when moving along the exit ramp 20b.

  Thus, according to the invention, each of the output channels

  at 25 has a slot 80 to 85 which leaves an extra space

  for the central part of the piece placed in the outlet channel 20 to 25. Any central thickness of the work piece due to curvature or properties due to a displacement of the periphery of the workpiece can then enter the slots 80 to 85, so that the workpiece moves along the portions of the outlet channels 20 to 25 outside the slots 80 to 85. In fact, the parts only move on

  the two rails formed on either side of the slots 80 to 85.

  When the parts pass on the sensors 90 to 95 placed in the channels 20 to 25 of exit, they are less likely to have a tilting because of the presence of the slots 80 to 85. The sensors 90 to 95 thus detect a

  piece when guided regularly. This characteristic

  ristique improves the accuracy of the sensors 90 to 95 because their function is to count the parts or to distinguish the

  good pieces of counterfeit coins.

  Slots 80 to 85 are shown in greater detail in Figs. 3A to 3E which are cross-sections along line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Figs. 3A to 3E show various slot configurations 80 which can be used in channel 20 Release. FIG. 3A shows a slot 80a which has a length approximately equal to half the diameter of the piece 100. The width of the slot 80a can obviously be greater, up to 90% of the diameter of the slot.

  piece 100. The slot 80a has a rectangular section allowing

  both the housing of a portion 101 projecting from the piece 100 when it is guided along the slot 20 of

  exit. In general, the slot 80a has an approximate depth

  substantially equal to the thickness of the workpiece, and is centered in the channel 20. The slot 80a may also have a plurality of surfaces or step surfaces so that one region of the slot is deeper than another

slot area.

  FIG. 3B is similar to FIG. 3A, except for the slot 80b which has a rounded section and can accommodate the

  projecting portion 101 of a piece 100.

  FIG. 3C is also similar to FIG. 3A, but the slot 80c has a triangular section allowing the housing

  the projecting portion 101 of the piece 100.

  Figure 3D shows a wider slot 80d which is approximately 90% of the diameter of the domed piece 102. The slot 80d has a sectional arcuate profile similar to the slot 80b of Figure 3B. However, given the width of the slot 80d, a very bulged piece 102 can still pass into the outlet channel 20 without the curved piece 102 pushes the elastic surface 16 much as the curved piece 102 is in contact at two points. along the corners of the slot 80d, it is less likely to tilt than when only its center is in contact with the outlet channel 20. The slot 80d is advantageous because it allows the passage of the projecting central part of a room while allowing the passage

of a domed piece 102.

  FIG. 3E shows another embodiment in which three slots 80e are placed in the outlet channel 20. The central slot leaves room for the projecting portion 101 of the part 100. The two outer slots leave space for the periphery of a curved piece, like the piece 102 of FIG. 3D, when this piece 102 is turned over with respect to the representation of

Figure 3D.

  The coin sorting apparatus according to the invention has been described with reference to the sorting head 12. This fixed sorting head 12 according to the invention may however have different shapes. For example, the invention is useful with a sorting head that has channels having converging walls that guide the parts to the output channels. Slots can be used in these output channels of such

coin sorting machine.

  In addition, coin sorting devices may include sensors located upstream of the outlet channels 20 to 25 near the chamfered surface 68 of FIG. 2. A slot may be placed near the sensors in this region to prevent any tipping that could reduce the accuracy of counting and / or the distinction of parts. In summary, these slots are useful at any location where can

find a sensor.

  Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the devices that have just been described as a non-limiting example.

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (26)

  A disc type coin sorting apparatus for sorting mixed coins which comprise coins of different diameters, the sorting apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: a rotating disc (13) having a an elastic upper surface, and a fixed sorting head (12) having a lower surface positioned parallel to and at a short distance from the elastic upper surface of the disc (13), the lower surface of the sorting head (12) forming a plurality of output channels (20-25) for guiding parts of different diameters to different output stations at the periphery of the sorting head (12), each of the output channels (20-25) having two walls sideways between which the coins are guided, and each channel among the outlet channels (20-25) has a first, a second and a third upper surface placed between the two side and perpendicular walls   in general to the two side walls.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first surface is adjacent to the first of the side walls and the third surface is adjacent to the other of the side walls, the first and third surfaces being coplanar in general, the second surface being placed between the first and third surfaces and being offset therefrom, the coin cooperating essentially with the first and the third surface third surface.   Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that   the second surface is flat.   Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that   what the second surface is curved.   5. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second surface is offset from the   first and third surfaces of approxi-   equal to the thickness of the guided piece along the output channel.   6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the piece has a certain diameter and the second surface of the outlet channel for this piece has a width   between about 50% and 90% of the diameter of the piece.   7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic upper surface of the rotating disc (13) drives the workpiece in contact with at least one of the exit channel surfaces.   8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a sensor (90-95) placed in at least one of the output channels (20-25) and for detecting the coins, the sensor (90-95) being placed near the second surface.   A disc type disc sorting apparatus for sorting mixed workpieces which comprise parts of different diameters, the sorting apparatus being characterized by comprising: a rotating disc (13) having a top surface elastic, a fixed head (12) for sorting having a lower surface placed parallel to and at a small distance from the elastic upper surface of the disc (13), -the lower surface of the sorting head (12) forming a plurality of output channels (20-25) for guiding parts of different diameters to different output stations at the periphery of the sorting head (12), a sensor (90-95) on the bottom surface, and a slot (80-85) placed along the bottom surface on the path of the parts, the sensor (90-95)   being placed in the slot (80-85).   Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that   what the slot (80-85) has a rectangular section.   Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that   what the slot (80-85) has a curved section.   12. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the elastic upper surface of the rotating disc (13) pushes the workpiece into contact with a region of the surface   lower close to the slit (80-85).   13. A disc-type piece-sorting apparatus for sorting mixed pieces which comprise pieces of different diameters, the sorting apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: a rotating disc (13) having a top surface resilient, and a fixed sorting head (12) having a lower surface positioned parallel to and at a small distance from the elastic upper surface of the disc (13), the lower surface of the sorting head (12) forming a plurality of output channels (20-25) for guiding parts of different diameters to different output stations at the periphery of the sorting head (12), each of the output channels (20-25) having two sidewalls between which parts are guided and a base over which the parts pass, and each of the output channels (20-25) has a slot (80-85) formed in the base, the part guided in the outlet channel being contact of a pa from the base in an area outside the slot (80-85).   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that   what the slot (80-85) has a rectangular section.   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that   what the slot (80-85) has a curved section.   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that   what the slot (80-85) has a triangular section.   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the elastic upper surface of the rotating disc (13) urges the workpiece into contact with a region of the   exit which lies outside the slot (80-85).   18. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises a sensor (90-95) placed in at least one of the output channels (20-25) and intended to detect the parts, the sensor ( 90-95) being placed at inside the slot (80-85).   Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece has a determined diameter, and the slot (80-85) S formed in the output channel corresponding to the workpiece has a width of between about 50% and 90% of the workpiece. diameter of the room.   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that each of the slots (80-85) is centered in the channel corresponding output.   Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that   what the slot (80-85) delimits at least one rail.   A disc type coin sorting apparatus for sorting mixed coins which comprise coins of different diameters, the apparatus characterized by comprising: a rotating disc (13) having a top surface elastic, a fixed head (12) for sorting having a lower surface placed parallel to the elastic upper surface of the disc (13) and placed at a small distance therefrom, the lower surface of the sorting head (12) forming a plurality output channels (20-25) for guiding parts of different diameters to different output stations at the periphery of the sorting head (12), each of the output channels (20-25) having two sidewalls between which are guided parts, a detection device placed in at least one of the output channels (20-25) for piece counting, and a stabilizing device placed in each of the output channels (20-25), l e stabilizing device stabilizing the curved parts and the parts having a maximum thickness in the center, the stabilizing device   being placed in the region of the detection device.   23. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that the stabilizing device has a slot (80-85)   in each channel among the output channels (20-25).   24. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the slot (80-85) is centered in each channel   corresponding among the output channels (20-25).   25. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the slot (80-85) defines at least one rail. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the slot (80-85) has two edges, and each of the outlet channels (20-25) delimits a vertical plane which protrudes from the edges, one of the two edges being practically coplanar to one of the vertical planes.